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carbon cycle
noun
1
: the cycle of carbon in the earth's ecosystems in which carbon dioxide is fixed by photosynthetic organisms to form organic nutrients and is ultimately restored to the inorganic state (as by respiration, protoplasmic decay, or combustion)
2
: a cycle of thermonuclear reactions in which four hydrogen atoms synthesize into a helium atom by the catalytic action of carbon with the release of nuclear energy and which is held to be the source of most of the energy radiated by the sun and stars
Examples of carbon cycle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Every dollar paid to a local grower instead of a national grocery chain is a vote for a more sensible food system, bringing us closer to rebalancing our out-of-kilter carbon cycle.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Possible causes include volcanic activity associated with the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, leading to climatic changes, ocean acidification and disruptions in the carbon cycle.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Even the carbon cycle could be affected, as there will be fewer tiny life forms absorbing carbon dioxide.
—Jude Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024
This is the biggest methane sink, or source of loss, in Earth’s carbon cycle.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 24 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near carbon cycle
Cite this Entry
“Carbon cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon%20cycle. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
carbon cycle
noun
: the cycle of carbon in living things in which carbon dioxide is used in photosynthesis to form food and growth substances and is later returned to the environment by respiration, decay, and burning
Medical Definition
carbon cycle
noun
: the cycle of carbon in living beings in which carbon dioxide is fixed by photosynthesis to form organic nutrients and is ultimately restored to the inorganic state by respiration and protoplasmic decay
More from Merriam-Webster on carbon cycle
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carbon cycle
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